Comparative analysis of c-kit gene expression and c-Kit immunoreactivity in horses with and without obstructive intestinal disease

Previous immunohistochemical studies targeting the receptor tyrosine kinase (c-Kit) have demonstrated an apparent reduction in the number of gastrointestinal pacemaker cells - the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) - in horses with intestinal motility disorders This study compared the level of transcription of the c-kit gene encoding this receptor in horses with and without such motility disorders Transcription levels of this gene were also compared to the density of ICC immunohistochemically positive for the c-Kit antigen Intestinal samples were collected from 18 horses with intestinal disease and from 15 control animals Following gene extraction and identification real time quantitative analysis of c kit and a control gene ACTB (beta-actin) was carried out on all samples and the density of the c-Kit-positive ICC compared There was a significant reduction in c-Kit immunoreactivity in the ICC of horses with large intestinal obstructive disorders relative to controls but no significant difference in the transcription of the c kit gene between normal and affected animals Further studies will be required to elucidate the mechanisms regulating c Kit expression and to assess the pathophysiological significance of these findings( C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved